SJHL Looking To Reduce Violence In The Game

August 19th, 2010 – A group of five Member Leagues within the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) are proud to announce an unprecedented joint effort to eliminate violence and bullying from Junior A hockey.

This initiative has developed from a partnership between the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), and Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL), who have formed together to create the Junior A Supplement, which will be launched as a pilot project in the 2010-2011 CJHL Season.

The Junior A Supplement has been created to protect junior-aged hockey players by addressing actions such as Blows to the Head, Dangerous Hits, Accumulated Major Penalties, Accumulated Misconducts, Instigating and Unnecessary Fighting. The supplement increases team, coach and player accountability through the tracking of repeat offenders, increased suspensions and significant financial penalties. It builds on the progressive regulations undertaken over the past decade by the participating Leagues and Branches to reduce bullying and violence from Junior A Hockey in Canada.

The pilot project was developed as a response to the implementation of Hockey Canada Regulation 6.7, which calls for an automatic game misconduct whenever a major penalty for fighting is assessed. The participating Member Leagues have gone one step further by targeting the types of dangerous plays that often result in fights and other types of violence. The Leagues within the pilot project will not be subject to Hockey Canada Regulation 6.7, which will be implemented across the remainder of the Leagues in CJHL.

“The five Member Leagues involved in the creation of the Junior A Supplement have taken a tremendous step in the effort to reduce and eliminate violence and bullying in Junior A hockey,” says SJHL president Laury Ryan.“Our League and its teams, coaches and players are committed to providing a safe environment for every player while also maintaining an exciting, physical brand of hockey on the ice.”

The Junior A Supplement has been developed in cooperation with the provincial branches of BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, Hockey Manitoba, Hockey North, Hockey Nova Scotia, Hockey P.E.I. and Hockey New Brunswick.

The two-year pilot project will compare data from the participating leagues using the Junior A Supplement and a control group using Hockey Canada Playing Rule 6.7. The data will determine whether fighting is reduced in the Junior A game by ejecting a player for his first fighting major and the effect on other aggressive and violent behavior.

I Think Many Of Us Can Relate

Check out this ad for ESPN fantasy football. I think its safe to say that we have all had to go through this at one time or another and that there is ONE person in your league that is like this. I know there is in mine!!

Remember When?

Remember when everyone connected with the CFL got uptight over the fact the Buffalo Bills were going to play some pre-season and regular-season games in Toronto. It was the end of the CFL. Buffalo would move to Toronto permanently and snuff out any hope of the Canadian game surviving.

A few years later and does anyone notice the Bills anymore? They will play the Colts at Rogers Centre tonight. Did you know that? There's one reason why you should watch this game---John Chick. End of story!

Rogers botched this right from the get-go. The Bills games north of the border have turned out to be a disaster. Who wins? Once again, the CFL comes out smelling like a rose. The Bills don't excite anyone outside of Buffalo. The novelty factor has worn off and people are realizing its not the glamour they thought it might be. Yes, the Bills have not had great regular-season opponents (Miami and the Jets), but the bottom line is there is absolutely no threat of the NFL making a permanent move north of the border. It isn't going to happen.
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The Pats have new "vintage" jerseys to honor teams of the 20's. The Regina hockey fans I talk to would rather see this team pay homage to the teams of the mid 70's and mid 80's. Teams that win! That being said, it is another great gesture by Brent Parker and company as they try to bring the history of this team to the forefront.
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The Reediscover Reebok football final has Darian Durant against Jon Cornish of the Stamps. Go to www.reebokfootball.ca to vote.
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I did what many have done since "the chip" was put into our bank cards. I walked out of a business without my card today. I realized what I had done and went back to the store in question about 15 minutes later. I was told to go to customer service. I told the guy behind the till that I had left my card behind. As he opened up the drawer and pulled out the cards, I couldn't believe it. There had to be about 40 there. He asked what bank my card was. It was then I realized without my name on the front of the card how was I going to do this. I can't just say--oh yeah that one right there is mine. The guy had me sign a piece of paper and then matched the signature with the signature on the back of the card. No harm, no foul! I can't believe the amount of cards he had though. Are that many people leaving their card behind because of modern technology?
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Lindsay Lohan is on the cover of Maxim Magazine this month? Lindsay is just a freckled mess and is a waste of time--we all know that. Why would Maxim want to put her on the cover when there are many candidates to choose from.
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The NHL's research and development camp is an interesting one. I don't like the idea of one faceoff dot in the offensive zone, but I do like the hybrid icing idea. That being a rule that is designed to reduce dangerous collisions resulting from a race for the puck. The proposed change gives linesmen the ability to make a ruling on whether a play will be called icing based on which player reaches the faceoff dot first -- rather than who is first to touch the puck. We have seen too many catastrophic injuries take place because of races for the puck on icing. Here's hoping that rule passes. One rule I would like to see changed is a player has to serve his entire penalty no matter if a goal is scored or not. If a team can put home three while you are in there for two minutes, too bad!
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Like the Oilers, it looks as if the Cubs are getting ready to start over---AGAIN! I wasn't too happy with the trade that sent Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers and I'm not that thrilled with Derrek Lee leaving for the Braves. Who's next?
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I don't care if Brett Favre is back with the Vikings or not. That team is not going to the Super Bowl. Their best opportunity to get to and win the Super Bowl went out the window last year when the Saints beat them in overtime. I don't even think Minnesota wins their division. That honor will go to Brett's old team.
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Does Woody Paige ever win on "Around the Horn"?
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There are too many Rider fans feeling sorry for Richie Hall. Here's the bottom line---the organization that we were so jealous of in the 70's has finally hit rock bottom and we are now an elite franchise. ENJOY IT AND QUIT GIVING THIS YEAH, BUT ATTITUDE!! They wouldn't be feeling sorry for us in Edmonton if they were winning and we weren't and a former Eskimo was the coach of our team. Richie is a grade A, top shelf individual and I hope better days are on the horizon for him, but seeing the Eskimos thrash about in the muck trying to gain a measure of respectability is enjoyable. Maybe its "The Curse of Hallsy" and he never should have retired.
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Here's a question for you. Who gets employed by another CFL team first? Eric Tillman or Danny Macioccia. I think it will be Tillman. Perry Lefko is the latest to pump Eric's tires in his column on Sportsnet. How long will it take before E-T is forgiven by the football community for his misdeeds. I think he is back in the league by the start of the 2011 season and whatever team he grabs control of will be competitive in a very short time. Say what you want about the man, but there is no denying his football knowledge and acumen.
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Why is vanilla ice cream white when vanilla extract is brown?

Chiefs Going Outdoors

The Western Hockey League and Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club announced today they will host the Rockstar Outdoor Hockey Classic on Saturday, January 15th, 2011 at Avista Stadium against the Kootenay Ice in the WHL’s first ever outdoor game. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 pm PT.

Bobby Brett, the President of the Spokane Chiefs, said “Since the NHL outdoor game in Buffalo 2008 I have wanted the Spokane Chiefs to play in one. I think it will be an unbelievable event for our players and fans.”

“The WHL appreciates the commitment the Spokane Chiefs have made to stage the first ever WHL Outdoor Game in one of our longest standing and most successful U.S. markets”, commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Our WHL fans in Spokane and throughout the US Pacific Northwest and Western Canada will not want to miss this historic outdoor event,” Robison said.

Rockstar Energy Drink has agreed to be the title sponsor of the event while Coeur d’Alene Casino, Waterbrook Wine and The Spokesman-Review will be presenting sponsors.

Tickets will be sold only on an individual game basis as all Chiefs Package Holders will receive the first opportunity to purchase seats for the game. Ticket Package Holders can call the Chiefs ticket office on Thursday, August 19th at 9:00 am to order tickets or they can fill out the order form they will receive in the mail later this week. Tickets will go on sale to the general public for the Rockstar Outdoor Hockey Classic on Wednesday, September 1st.

Prices will range from $25-$100. Full season package holders will receive a ticket to the Spokane Chiefs first playoff game in 2011 to give them a full complement of 36 games in their package.

Fans can choose from all inclusive seats that feature all you can eat hot dogs, Pepsi products and peanuts to reserved bench seats. Avista Stadium’s popular group areas (The Bud Bullpen, The Grotto presented by Hallmark Hyundai and The Depot presented by The Black Book) will also be available for purchase

The ice surface will be installed and maintained by a team that includes Willy Bietak Productions out of Santa Monica, California, Top Shelf Arena Service’s Mike Craig and Dan Craig and Dave Gebhardt of the Spokane Public Facilities District.

Bietak Productions specializes in state-of-the-art portable rinks and installed ice for the Michigan-Michigan State outdoor hockey game in 2001 and for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

Top Shelf Arena Services help oversee all ice surfaces in the NHL and has been a part of all of the NHL’s outdoor hockey events, including last year’s Bridgestone Classic at Fenway Park in Boston.

Dave Gebhardt is the Operations Manager at the Spokane Arena and has supervised the installation and maintenance of its ice since opening in 1995. The Arena has hosted the two U.S. Figure Skating Championships, a WHL All-Star game and Memorial Cup under Gebhardt’s direction.

The event will be the first of two outdoor games played in the league this year. The Calgary Hitmen will host the Regina Pats on February 21st, 2011 at McMahon Stadium.

Just In Case You Were Wondering Where Jeff Garcia Was

Former CFL and NFL star quarterback Jeff Garcia has signed with the Omaha Nighthawks, an expansion team in the United Football League.

Garcia starred for the Calgary Stampeders before heading south where he became a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

He hasn't played in the NFL since the Philadelphia Eagles released him in September.

The 40-year-old Garcia spent five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and also played for Cleveland, Detroit and Tampa Bay during his 11-year NFL career.

He had his best season in 2000 with the 49ers, throwing for 4,278 yards and 31 touchdowns.

One of his highlights came with the Eagles in 2006, when he stepped in for an injured Donovan McNabb to lead Philadelphia to a 5-1 record down the stretch, the NFC East title and a playoff victory.

He played with the Stampeders from 1994-98, posting highs of 4,573 yards and 33 touchdowns in ‘97.

I'm Not Really Sure What To Think Of This

I am hoping this is not true, but if it is, well lets just say its another sign that the world is going to hell in a handbasket very quickly. Just look at this and give me your thoughts and then tell me you actually wouldn't want to try just one. One!

P-Rod Criticism Is Unwarranted

With the Riders on their bye week, a lot of people are looking at the first seven games of the season and are talking about the positives and the negatives. I can understand fans being upset with the play of special teams since the green and white are the only team not to have a special teams return touchdown in 10, but I don't understand the criticism that is being launched Prechae Rodriguez's way.

Rodriguez has caught 17 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, that brings up the rear when it comes to Rider receivers, but I don't have to tell you what a stacked group that is. If Rodriguez was getting more balls at the expense of Rob Bagg, Chris Getzlaf, Weston Dressler or Andy Fantuz, people would be crying about that. While Darian Durant has not yet connected on the long ball with the Auburn product, I am certain that day is coming. I think Rodriguez is going to play a major role in the offence before this year is done.

Some are suggesting Rodriguez is lazy. I'm concentrating on the ball when I watch the game so I don't see every little thing, but I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary from Rodriguez. Some said he didn't seem to give it the effort, but there he was fighting for extra yardage in Thursday's win over the Lions.

One person texted into the Sportscage Tuesday when the topic was brought up that Rider fans or at least some of them just need someone to bitch at and someone to be their whipping boy. I guess Rodriguez draws into that role. Is it really necessary though?
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A friend of mine in Saskatoon e-mailed me Tuesday night to say he had heard about a Facebook group that had popped up suggesting a movement be made to move the Tiger-Cats to Saskatoon. I could not find such a group. If someone sees it, can you send me the link? Who's kidding who, a 2nd team in Saskatchewan would have a very detrimental effect on both clubs.
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Its just getting worse in Edmonton. Here's the latest.
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Brett Favre is back. What a surprise! Do I need to say more?
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Has anyone caught "The Daily Line" on Sportsnet? Its a hybrid of "The Best Damn Sports Show Period". However this show doesn't have Charissa Thompson so its not as good. Its not bad though.
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Speaking of Sportsnet, Rod said on "The Sportscage" Tuesday that he has been in contact with Access and that Rogers Sportsnet One will be offered very soon. I hope so.
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The WHL on SHAW needs a new host. Dan Elliott is now the play-by-play man for the Vancouver Giants. If SHAW wants to change things up and host things from their Saskatoon studios instead of their Vancouver ones, why not get Wray Morrison. He does the TSN thing and he does a lot of things for SHAW so why not?
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As you know Access picks up a lot of games from SHAW and that will continue. What also will continue is SJHL broadcasts on Channel 7 and Access locales across the province. Full details of that are coming out very soon.
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Speaking of the SJHL, I have added some new links to the right of blogs I (and I hope you will check out on a daily basis). They are the blogs of SJHL broadcasters Craig Stein (Yorkton, Melville), Darryl Skender (Melfort, Nipawin, Humboldt and the U of S Huskies football team) and Dan O'Connor (North Battleford). These three gentlemen are very good at what they do, and they do a tremendous job in keeping fans of their respective teams informed.
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The Rogers Cup womens tennis tournament is happening in Montreal. Is Anna Kournikova even playing tennis anymore? When was the last Anna sighting!
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There really is nothing better than a Dr. Pepper slurpee!
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I have wayyyyyy to many Facebook friends playing Farmville and Zombie Farm and Mafia Wars and all that crap. I DON"T CARE!!!!
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Are the Spokane Chiefs going to follow in the footsteps of the Calgary Hitmen and go outdoors? Looks like it! Expect an announcement on that later today.
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I can't wait for the new fall TV season to start. Summer TV is like wearing cologne to a rodeo.